Process of treating hydrocarbons



L. W. McOMBER.

PROCESS OF TREATING HYDROCARBONS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. I916.

1 345,452, Patented July 6, 1920,

JP ryZu v Calutcizsef.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOREN W.MOOMBER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 CHARLES B. BELKNAP, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PROCESS OF TREATING HYDROCARBONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1920.

Application filed February 24, 1916. Serial No. 80,274.

"and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Processes of Treating Hydrocarbons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process of treating hydrocarbon oils and refers more particularly to a process of converting relatively high boiling point hydrocarbon oils into lower boiling point hydrocarbons.

I am aware that heretofore high boiling point hydrocarbons have been converted into lower boiling point hydrocarbons by subjecting the oil to the combined action of heat and pressure not only in the still but In certain condensed under a pressure of say approximately four to six atmospheres; the question of safety in the operation of the still limiting the available pressure. In certain other processes the oil is subjected to a relatively high pressure in the still which increases the danger of operation, a factor always worthy of very serious consideration in a process of this character and in addition a high still pressure tends to the formation of undesirable compounds.

I have discovered that very advantaeous results can be obtained by subjecting t e oil. in the still to relatively low pressure before subjecting the hydrocarbons through all or part of their condensing action to a relatively high pressure. In other words the oil is distilled under a relatively low pressure but before the distilled vapors pass to the receiving tank they are subjected to a high pressure which may be produced in various ways.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly side elevation and partly in section of an apparatus suitable for use in my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the gooseneck leading from the still.

Referring to Figs. land 2, the elements there shown may be described as follows: 1 designates a suitable furnace in which is mounted a plurality ofheating tubes 2 inclined as shown and connected at either end by headers 3, 3. The headers are connected by pipes 4 and 5 to a horizontal still 6. It is understood that the parts so described are so constructed as to be able to withstand the desired pressure. The still 6 has a manhole 7, pyrometer 8, pressure gage and safety valve 9. 10 designates the filling line, controlled by the valve 11. 12 designates the emptying line. To the upper ,end of the still 6 is connected a .gooseneck 13 having an extension 14 to the upper end of which is secured a reflex air-cooled condenser 15 comprising horizontal hollow pipes 16 and 17 and cross connecting vertical pipes 18. The upper pipe 16 is connected to a vapor drum 19 by means of a pipe 20. The drum 19 is provided with a pressure gage 21 and safety valve 22. The vapor drum is connected to a water condenser coil 23 by means of pipe 24. Between the pipe 24. and the vapor drum is interposed a vapor compressor pump 25. This pumpv is arranged so that it willpump the vapors out of the vapor drum 19 when the pressure in said drum reaches a predetermined amount as for example 100 pounds. The delivery side of the pump forces the vapors under pressure in the water condenser 23, the pressure on the delivery of the apparatus being controlled by mechanically regulated gas outlet valve 26 and liquid outlet valve 27. The condenser is connected to the receiving tank 28 bypipe 29.

This tank 28 has a sight gage 30 and pres-.

sure gage 31. The condensed liquid passes through a pipe 32 and meter 33 which measures the volume of liquid. The tank 28 is also provided with a drain pipe 34 controlled by a valve 35. If the oil should contain any water, provision is made for feeding this out of the still without passing it through the pump by means of the pump bypass 38 controlled by the valve 37. It is understood that this valve 37 is normally closed. The oil may also be bypassed if the process is started with fresh crude oil and it is desired to take out the first or any desired cut of distillates without any pressure.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by properly regulating the pump 25 and the valve 26 or the valves 26 and 27, there can be obtained any desired pressure on the condensate irrespective ofv the pressure on the still. For example, if the pump is arranged to withdraw vapors from the still when the pressure in the still and vapor tank reaches 100 pounds then there can be obtained any desired pressure on the condenser 23 by re ulating the outlet side of the condenser.

The process is as follows: The pump 25 is first regulated so that it will take vapors out of the tank 19 at a predetermined pressure of 75 pounds. This may if desired be lowered to atmospheric or raised as high as 700. Assume however that it is set at 75 pounds. The valve 37 is closed and the valves 42 and 4:3 opened. The oil in the still is heated, the vapors pass out into tank 19 and when the pressure reaches 7 5 pounds are drawn out by the pump and forced down into the condenser. By regulating the valves 26 and 27 the pressure on the condenser may be made whatever desired, say for example, 200 to 1000 pounds. It is to be understood that certain of the vapors as they pass through the reflux condenser will fall back where they will again be broken;

I have found that by operating the process so as to have a pressure of from 60 to 100 pounds in the still and from 200 to 1000 .to produce a gasolene-like product pounds in the condenser I produce a very large yield of hydrocarbon oils of low boiling point, particularly those hydrocarbons known as gasolene.

I claim as my invention:

1. The process of treating petroleum oil which comprises subjecting the oil to the action of heat in a still while under a pressure in excess of approximately 60 pounds per square inch, and without materially releasing this pressure subjecting it to a condensing action while under a still higher pressure.

2. The process of treating petroleum oil to produce a gasolene-like product which comprises subjecting the oil to the action of heat while under a pressure of approximately 60 to 100 pounds per square inch, and without materially releasing this pressure, subjecting the resultant vapors to a condensing action while under a pressure in excess of 200 pounds per square inch.

LOREN W. MoOMBER. 

